Brewers owner asks for patience while team takes 'step back'

In an open letter addressed to his team's fans, Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio stressed his club's commitment to building a winner. He just isn't willing to put a timeline on it.

Attanasio's annual letter to Brewers fans said the team needs to "take a step back" in its quest to stay competitive, insisting there would be no "quick fixes" in the club's efforts to bring a world championship to Milwaukee.

Though the Brewers finished the season 14 games worse than their surprising 2014 campaign, Attanasio provided an optimistic outlook for the future, citing the club's lack of long-term contracts and the 14 prospects acquired in trades since the end of last year.

"(Brewers general manager David Stearns) has a great deal of flexibility to work with, as the team has just three long-term contracts remaining: Jonathan Lucroy (two years), Matt Garza (two years) and Ryan Braun (five years)," Attanasio said in the letter published to the club's official website Thursday morning.

"We do not have a rigid timetable because we believe it is vital to build a proper foundation for sustained success. I am encouraged by the level of teamwork I've been seeing in baseball operations and, most significantly, between David and (assistant GM) Matt (Arnold)."

Stearns has continued to rebuild the Brewers this offseason after dealing All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez and first baseman Adam Lind in separate trades for prospects. The club also acquired shortstop Jonathan Villar and reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with third baseman Will Middlebrooks.

According to Cot's Contracts, Milwaukee's pre-arbitration payroll currently sits at $46 million for next year, significantly down from the franchise-record $104-million budget for Opening Day last season.